Romans 12:1-2
Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Take My Life, That I May Be LBW
1 Take my life, that I may be consecrated, Lord, to thee;
take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
2 Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love;
take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.
3 Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King;
take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee.
4 Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold;
take my intellect, and use every power as thou shalt choose.
5 Take my will and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.
6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store;
take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.
Text: Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879, alt.
Frances Havergal, who died at the young age of 43, was a prolific hymn writer. Her father and brother were pastors, so she had a solid religious foundation, but was not, herself, a religious person until late in her life when, under the tutelage of a friend, she became a devout Christian. She began writing hymns, all of which were published after her untimely death, and most of which were forgettable save one, “Take My Life and Let It Be.” It was also the only hymn she ever wrote about. She was visiting a friend who was hosting a weekend group. She wrote; “There were 10 of them, half atheists, the other half indifferent, and I was privileged to be with them at a time when, for reasons unknown, they were open to hear my words of encouragement. I spoke about my faith to them, and my recent conversion, and by the end of the weekend, all were recommitted to the cause of Christ! I went to bed that Sunday filled with joy by the turn of events. These words appeared to me, as if in a dream, in couplets and I wrote them down.” You get a sense of that joy in the words to her last verse…”Take my love; my Lord, I pour, at thy feet its treasure store; take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.”
Prayer for Discernment: There is no right way to help a loved one. Sometimes what worked yesterday is a bust today. So we pray that those for whom we care be open to the right time, and that those who love them make good plans and persevere. Amen.